Unfinished Work
Dan Lawson LMHC
Psychotherapist, Trainer, Consultant, Keynote Speaker, Founder of Catholic Therapy Solutions
One of the most visited sites in London is St. Paul's Cathedral. During a tour, your guide has a habit of saying to the tourist mobs, "Does anyone know why we can't build churches like this anymore?"
The tourists usually say something like, "Yeah, these things are huge and far too expensive to build nowadays."
However, the tour guide is quick to correct them.
The guide retorts, "Ladies and gentlemen it has nothing to do with the financial cost of the basilica. Look over here. See these huge spire pillars. They are made of solid oak. The family in charge of producing these pillars was contracted and planted the oak trees 400yrs prior to the construction of the church site. The church was only an idea back then."
He goes on saying, "No one in our society is willing to devote their lives to something that they can't see to completion. To build this church whole generations spent their lives working on something that they knew they couldn't finish. People like that are an endangered species today."
Building St. Pauls mattered. It mattered so much these artisans suffered to build it; they and their children gave their lives working on it. The artwork and woodcarving is extraordinary. Ironically the generations of builders remain mostly anonymous. Most never lived to receive their accolades.
Question: What kind of person takes on a project like that?
Answer: A person with tremendous courage.
Going to sites like St. Paul's transcends our human experience. You can't help but be inspired when you look upon the great works of human art that surround you. This work challenges what you believe is humanly possible.
That's exactly what art does, it changes you, on purpose.
This art is what I call good work; a physical reflection of the virtue of the individuals who built it.
Those who participate in good work all have that same courage.
Our lives our measured by our courage.
What are you working on in your life that matters so much, you are willing to spend your life on it, knowing that you might not be able to finish it?
Sometimes the most important work, is the most incomplete of all.
Don't let that stop you.
I teach people to use their brain more intelligently | Consultant | Speaker| BIZCATALYST360° | Forbes | HuffPost
7 年Thank you, Dan Lawson, for this article. I realized years ago that my dream of helping all humans thrive might not be achieved in my lifetime. It is one reason I've devoted so much time to writing these past few years, so the knowledge will remain in a usable form when I am gone. I found a perspective that satisfies me and that perspective is, "As long as I create enough momentum and leave enough information behind to keep it going, I don't have to be here to see it through. When enough momentum is built, it will happen whether or not I am here." Sometimes I think of myself as a momentum builder and I'm good with that.
Live with Excellence!
7 年Thank you so much for this post, Dan. You present a really thoughtful way of looking at our lives and what we do during our time here. Committing oneself to doing work one is passionate about brings a great joy and meaning to one's life. Like the story presents, the best work is usually done by those who put heart into it. However, it sometimes takes plenty of time to figure out what does oneself care about that much...
LMFT, LIMHP, Professor, Author, Speaker, Expert Witness
7 年Well said Dan. That said. It is sad to think what can happen when religious extremists or others have evil and inhuman intentions. They too are martyrs for legacy but in a very sick way. What you wrote is so true and I so agree.
Engineering Tech at PennDot & Mental Health Advocate in Construction
7 年You are very right, Dan. There is the concept that the biggest ideas must first start with the smallest thoughts, and sometimes it takes much more than one lifetime to achieve the bigger ideas.
Bupa, Aviva and Cigna Recognised Counsellor - Practices at The Eaves, Godalming and Nicholson House, Weybridge
8 年What an inspiring piece of writing Dan. Thank you so much. It's got me thinking about what is it that inspires us and what is it that we will invest our time and gifts on. I wonder too what completion looks like? When we invest in people the legacy goes on and on....